While gamers had been eagerly anticipating new details about Nintendo‘s Wii U like a release date and launch titles, what they really were curious about was the price. But now that the Nintendo Direct press conference is over we know exactly how much the console will cost ($299 or $349) and we know when it will release (November 18th).
That doesn’t paint the whole picture of the Wii U‘s launch, though, the presser still left a few details unknown. Details like how much an average game would retail for and furthermore how much the console’s new Pro controller might cost were overshadowed by the big news. Thankfully, we now know those details as well, and they’re not nearly as expensive as we thought.
For the average Wii U title – which is going to include nearly 50 games in the launch window – the price will be $59.99, the standard for current gen games as well. This is, however, a step up from the traditional Wii price point of $49.99 for a game. While we’re sure there will be a few discount titles counter among the bunch – like Nintendo Land, which should have been bundled in with the both editions of the console — $59.99 is what most games will go for.
Since a lot of the Wii U’s big titles, or at least the ones the publisher is positioning as their top sellers, are multiplatform games it wouldn’t make sense to have them retail for more than a PS3 or Xbox 360 version. Yes, there’s support for the console’s touchpad controller thrown in, but getting gamers to buy a new console just for a new game like Assassin’s Creed 3 is a tough sell in and of itself.
As far as the Wii U’s Pro Controller is concerned, that will retail for $49.99 – about what an Xbox 360 controller goes for right now. Given that Nintendo wants to focus on the new touchpad controller it’s no surprise either of the console’s two bundles don’t ship with the pro controller.
Going hands-on with the controller at E3 was a bit disconcerting at first – mostly because of the controller’s joystick layout – but that unfamiliarity should go away quickly. Having to pay $50 just to get a more “hardcore” and arguably less gimmicky gameplay experience, however, might not be as easy to justify.
Make sure to check out our full write-up of the Nintendo Wii U price and release date announcement, and details about the new TVii feature.
Nintendo’s Wii U will be available on November 18, 2012.
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Maybe by next summer, IF there’s a price drop or a special or a bundle, I’ll buy this. My son and I will enjoy this. I’ll enjoy certain games on it. But if PS4 or Xbox 720 is releasing that year with a decent price, then I don’t know. I don’t think I want to buy consoles when they first launch. Time will tell.
I realllllly hope this is not a sign that the Xbox 720′s games are gonna be 70 bucks.
@jack7
Same here. I’ll be buying less, renting more. Also doing pre orders and paying the game off ahead of time.
well im sure as hell not preordering anything anymore.
Will you be able to use the Pro Controller with all the Wii U games? I like the blue boxes though
So just to be clear:
Wii U Basic – $299
A Game (because you’ll need one at least) – $60
A couple of Pro Controllers (wanna play two player? no extra GamePad for U) – $100
An external HD (because 8GB is paltry) – $50
Startup cost for Wii U – $500+
LOL Priceless
@Dante
A couple of pro controllers and an external hard drive? Not at launch. And you do know it comes with a gamepad so only one pro controller is required for TWO player, how’s your math? Save files aren’t that big and damn near everyone who bought a Wii will probably be buying the Wii U, the controls work on both systems. I know I’ll be using my Wii controllers if I buy this.
Funny, everyone is laughing at Nintendo but have no idea what to expect when PS4 and Next Xbox are revealed. I’m expecting $500 base price ($400 ish minimum) plus those extra controllers for you to play 2 player lol
LOL at save files aren’t that big, didn’t Nintendo say they were going to do digital distro? I bet that gets pretty big.
Seriously, I didn’t even use the so-called Deluxe as my base model and this system will easily cost you $450 to start.
As for a $500 base price for PS4 & Nextbox, at least they’ll have next-gen tech.
….no ones forcing you to buy digitally……..
I’m budgeting $450. That will get me a Deluxe Wii U, Zombie U and pay for sales tax. I’ll even have some money left over for some Monsters and Redbull, while I wait in line. I already have plenty of Wiimotes, Nunchuks and Classic Controller Pros.
When I bought the Wii, I budgeted $400. I bought a Wii, Zelda, a Wiimote, a Nunchuk and paid for sales tax. I even had some money left over for some Monsters and Redbull, while I waited in line.
That was 6 years ago.
The Wii U is not that expensive.
@EastoftheAnduin
You’re right, it’s not that expensive. My phone costs more lol. People hear Nintendo and think of “cheap kid’s distraction.”